Originally Posted by
JustAbitCrazy
I have seen many, many jaw-droppingly gorgeous quilts which were, as you say, "quilted to death". Although it's not the type of machine quilting I do, I can surely appreciate the beauty of the completed quilt, and the artistry and skill required to make it.
Very true. My sentiments exactly.
I don't really expect quilts that win a blue ribbon at an national/international exhibit to be something that was quilted in a meander on my Janome in 3-4 hours. I loved looking at the intricate work at the MQS I made it to last year in Wichita. It was very inspiring.
Someday, maybe I'll get 1/20 as good as some of them. Otherwise, I won't worry about it. So far I've not had the desire to be in a show--I'm simply not that kind of perfectionist that I think you need to be to be able to make a good presentation at one of them. And it's okay.
I do wonder about what percentage of quilts being made in the US (and worldwide) today are artsy (pictures) type quilts/wall hangings and what percentage are the more traditional. I would have thought that more traditional types (including intricate paper piecing types by Judy Niemeyer) were actually being done than art quilts. However, just a quick "click" on a few of the special speakers/presenters at the Paducah show and I got several art quilt teachers. I sometimes wonder how much is connecting with the "common quilter" (as in "common man").
But I love going to places where I am stretched, so I can learn from artsy types. But I know that I do not have that type of talent--or at least I don't think that I do.
I will continue to admire the dense quilting. I do wonder where it is going to stop--some of the quilts I saw literally looked like there would be no more room for any more stitches on them--but wow--what an amazing amount of work.